Graduate Study In Social Work
Information Sources:
Wittenberg, Renee. Opportunities in Social Work Careers. Chicago: VGM Career Books, 2003.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Social Work Graduate School: How To Get In
For a discussion of the differences between psychology, counseling, and social work, see Defining Each Field and Frequently Asked Questions.
Degrees
M.S.W.
M.S.W. stands for Master's in Social Work, and in the social work field, this professional degree is almost always required for positions in mental health/clinical practice and for administrative, supervisory, and research positions. Any social worker doing therapy in a private practice must have an M.S.W. and be licensed by their state (see licensing section below). Most M.S.W. programs take two years to complete, although many schools will grant advanced standing status to applicants with a bachelor's degree in social work. Those with advanced standing status can often complete their degree in one year.
Ph.D./D.S.W
There is no substantive difference between the Ph.D. and the D.S.W. (Doctor of Social Work); some schools simply prefer one term over another. Doctoral programs are designed for experienced social workers who want in-depth training in research and policy analysis. Like all Ph.D. programs, they require a combination of coursework and research culminating in a dissertation. Ph.D. programs take between three and five years to complete. Ph.D.-level social workers usually either teach at a university or take on leadership roles in social service or governmental agencies. Others continue their clinical work and teach or conduct research part-time.
Joint Degrees
Many schools also offer joint-degree programs pairing social work with disciplines such as public health, law, public affairs, education, or gerontology.
Academic Specialties
The following definitions of academic specialties within social work are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook:
"Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and academic functioning of children. Some social workers assist single parents; arrange adoptions; and help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. They also advise teachers on how to cope with problem students. Some social workers may specialize in services for senior citizens. They run support groups for family caregivers or for the adult children of aging parents. Some advise elderly people or family members about choices in areas such as housing, transportation, and long-term care; they also coordinate and monitor services. Through employee assistance programs, they may help workers cope with job-related pressures or with personal problems that affect the quality of their work. Child, family, and school social workers typically work in individual and family services agencies, schools, or state or local governments. These social workers may be known as child welfare social workers, family services social workers, child protective services social workers, occupational social workers, or gerontology social workers.
Medical and public health social workers provide persons, families, or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, or AIDS. They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients’ needs after discharge by arranging for at-home services—from meals-on-wheels to oxygen equipment. Some work on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate certain kinds of patients—geriatric or organ transplant patients, for example. Medical and public health social workers may work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals with mental illness, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Such services include individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and training in skills of everyday living. They may also help plan for supportive services to ease patients’ return to the community. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are likely to work in hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, individual and family services agencies, or local governments. These social workers may be known as clinical social workers.
Other types of social workers include social work planners and policymakers, who develop programs to address such issues as child abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and violence. These workers research and analyze policies, programs, and regulations. They identify social problems and suggest legislative and other solutions. They may help raise funds or write grants to support these programs."
Curriculum
Most M.S.W. programs include courses in human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, social research, and social work practice. They also require a practicum, which is supervised experience in the field. Students also have an opportunity to take advanced elective courses in a specialty that fits their interests. Many programs offer a specific track for those who want to pursue a clinical career in the mental health field. For example, the UT School of Social Work's M.S.W. program offers two concentrations, Clinical Social Work and Community and Administrative Leadership.
Ph.D. programs usually require coursework in core areas such as research methods, data analysis, and policy theory as well as elective classes to complement the students' research topic. The courses usually take two years to complete and then the student focuses on research and completion of the dissertation.
Factors to Consider When Researching Schools
- Can you take courses outside the social work department?
- What kinds of practicum experiences are available ?
- What teaching methods are used (lecture, experiential)?
- Does teaching philosophy lean more toward theory or application?
- Quality of faculty (research interests, areas of expertise)
- Class profile (age, diversity, etc.)
- Class size
- Career and job search services
- Location
- Relationships with non-academic employers and community agencies
- Financial aid
- Is the program approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)? Their site has a list of accredited programs.
Entrance Requirements
There is no specific undergraduate degree required for admission to an M.S.W. program. Courses in the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and political science, are important, and some programs may require a course in statistics. In addition to the standard requirements of GRE, GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, many social work programs place emphasis on community and social service and expect applicants to have experience through volunteering or internships. PhD. programs prefer candidates who have an M.S.W., work experience, and demonstrated potential in research and quantitative analysis.
Professional Licensure
Each state has its own licensing and certification requirements governing social work practice and the use of professional titles. For example, Texas offers three certification options:
1) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (requires a graduate degree, 3000 hours of supervised professional experience plus a passing score on an exam),
2) Licensed Master Social Worker (requires a degree from an accredited program plus a passing score on an exam), and
3) Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Practitioner (requirements of #2 plus 3000 hours of supervised professional experience)
For more information about these options, visit the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners website.
Helpful Links
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)